Chapter 8: 8

“What a commendable thing to say.”

“Thank you, brother.”

Fortunately, Theo listened to me without hesitation. If Ciel hadn’t been acting stupidly, Theo would have safely become the next Duke of Valentine.

As long as I’m aware of the dreadful future, I can’t just easily ignore it. My shoulder, which had to save everyone, grew heavier and heavier{1}.

After sending my brother off, I finally arrived at the Glass Garden.

The ornamental flowers outside were managed by gardeners, but Clara took care of the herbs in the glass greenhouse.

The Duke of Valentine, who respected his daughter’s hobby, collected all kinds of rare herbs; and it is not too much to say that an astronomical amount of precious herbs filled this greenhouse.

But no matter how hard I looked at it, I couldn’t recognize it. I sighed as I looked at the blades of grass that all looked the same.

“Ciel!”

“Uh, sister!”

She should be busy preparing for her debut, but Clara came to water the plants despite her busy schedule.

Still, it is a good thing that the debut was decided. I’m ten years old now, and I can’t let Clara be my babysitter for a long period of time.

Personally, I was more proud than sad to see Clara discover what she is good at.

“What is this?”

“It’s Loenthal, the flowers are poisonous, but the roots will provide an antidote.”

At first, I thought I couldn’t remember it because they all look the same, but Clara taught me about the various uses of other grasses.

“If you get food poisoned, you can heat it up and eat it. If you get hurt, you can grind this and apply it to the wound; the wound will heal faster and the pain will be minimized.”

Even after I heard the explanation, it just seems to me that they are all the same. I’m at a loss for words. I sighed as I stared at the flowers after my sister had left.

“I think you’re amazing. I have no idea what’s what.”

“I don’t know either.”

Merrill just shrugged when I said I didn’t know. I took this opportunity to see how the employees reacted, so I gently prodded Merrill’s mind.

“Merrill hates me doing this?”

“No way. I like all the things the lady likes.”

If you think about what Merrill did to Clara in the original story, her current attitude is really unimaginable.

The reason why she did not hesitate to do really bad things was actually simple. Like Mrs. Lisbon, Merrill was a loyal employee of the Valentine family for a long time.

Even if Merrill was the villain who harassed Clara, strictly speaking, she was just following my orders, so now it’s up to me to behave properly.

It would be incredibly difficult to live as the source of all evil. Nonetheless, I must find a way out of the situation without drastically changing the plot.

If necessary, I should also behave like a villain because I’m not sure what fate has in store for me.

 

──・・✧・・──

 

Finally, Clara’s debut is happening. It was an excellent opportunity to see if the events would still occur if the circumstances were changed.

As expected, when Clara’s debut date was set, her dad’s business trip was suddenly decided. He said he would somehow return before the party, but heavy rain had fallen in the area, placing him in a difficult situation.

It was as I expected. Although there is a difference in time and process, the contents of the original work happened in some way.

So let’s change the future more enthusiastically. I shouldn’t be just relieved that I get along with Clara.

Fortunately, we have two reliable masters in our house. Except for me and Louis, who are still young, the other two brothers had already begun preparing to escort Clara.

“Come on, how’s it going?”

With the touch of the most beautiful woman in the Empire, it became a huge success.

“You’re so cool, Mom.”

For a Lady’s debut, the rule is to wear a pure white dress. However, it depends entirely on the family’s financial resources how they interpret the pure white color.

No matter how much she is a foster daughter, Clara is Valentine’s daughter, and thanks to my little whisperings to mother, Clara’s debut was lavishly funded.

The fabric is made of imported silk and a flower crown is made of 50 gold roses.

Even that wasn’t enough. The earrings and necklaces were studded with petite diamonds on platinum strings.

Every time she takes a step, a sparkling jewel will twinkle like a star.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes, Mother.”

Theo, dressed elegantly, plays the role of a housekeeper on behalf of his absent father; and mother decided to bring Clara around and greet the social circle.

But two children, Louis and I, are still young, so we have to stay home.

“Brother Isaac!”

“Yes, Ciel.”

“You didn’t forget what I asked you to do, did you?”

I also asked Isaac for cooperation for Clara’s splendid debut. As my partner in crime, Isaac took the initiative and threw the bait in order to get mother’s attention.

“Mother, I’ll leave in a little while.”

“You said you had something to check with the Knights? Try not to be too late.”

Even if Isaac is present, mother will still bring Theo and Clara first and walk around.

When he saw other people watching, Brother Isaac ran towards me.

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“Are you sure you want to go to the Imperial Palace like this?”

“Yes. I’m so sad that I can’t watch Clara’s debut ball.”

If I act adorably, it will not be difficult for me to fool brother Isaac.

“What if our Ciel doesn’t eat? What if she gets sick? Merrill, what are we going to do?”

“But you know you’ll be in trouble. Will you be okay?”

“What can I do?  Our princess wants it. Isn’t it?”

“As expected, Brother Isaac is the best!”

Like this, my plan is completed. In exchange for accepting my request, Brother Isaac chose my dress for today himself.

“Is this all you need?”

“Yes, it’s enough.”

I wore a light pink dress with a lot of lace and a bonnet. As I stood up, with my pretty blond hair that resembled mother, Isaac was so moved that he even shed tears.

“Cute. She’s my sister, but she’s so cute.”

“Do you like it?”

“Of course. Our younger sister is so pretty. Our Ciel. Our princess”

The foolish brother, Isaac, lavished me with heartfelt praises, while Louis stared at us with disgust as if we were ridiculous.

“Do you have to go that far?”

“Well, of course, I want to see Clara’s debut ball, but I can go on a date with Brother Isaac alone.”

So, I’m not taking you, idiot.

Louis tried to pretend he wasn’t interested, but he secretly wanted to go. But we won’t bring him until he honestly says it himself.

When I said “date,” Isaac almost broke out crying, took my wrist, and led me to the carriage.

“Are you sure you’re not going to take me?”

“I thought you didn’t want to go. Right, Brother Isaac?”

“I mean. Our Ciel wants to go out with her older brother alone.”

Indeed, Izaac has a unique personality who only listens to what he wants to hear.

Well, with such a personality, he would have rebelled against his younger sister’s evil deeds.

Still, he is a trusted ally more than anyone else, so I got on the wagon in the arms of my brother.

“Me too, me too!”

“But can you keep secrets from mother?”

“Yes, I can keep a secret.”

And if the two of us try to go on a date and Louis opens his mouth, we’ll both be punished severely.

Come to think of it, it’s been quite a while since I’ve seen Alex, the future Crown Prince.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is coming today, right?”

“He’s coming. However, I heard he’s gone as an overseas envoy recently, so I believe the Crown Prince’s appearance would be brief.”

“Really?”

Yeah, that’s exactly what I was curious about. Alex was able to defeat Theo and rise to the position of the main character because of the difference in power. Of course, a Crown Prince is better than a regular prince or a Duke.

You must have the power to stand above everyone else. So, in order to be reborn as the male lead, no matter what the odds are, you have to successfully take the Crown Prince’s place with your own strength.

“Aren’t you Sir Isaac?”

“I’m late because I had some work to do at home.”

The gatekeepers checked Isaac Valentine’s face and opened the door immediately without internal confirmation. So the carriage we were riding in, safely passed through the Imperial Palace gates.

Although the Palace looks magnificent, it’s a dreary and brutal place. The Imperial Palace is a terrifying hall where blood and flesh splatter.

The situation inside the Imperial family is quite complicated. The Emperor declared that he would not have an Empress after having Alex with an unidentified woman.

Princess Lotte, the Emperor’s younger sister, assumed the power in place of the empress.

Princess Lotte was an unlucky woman who was forced into a political marriage and returned to the Imperial family with her son when her husband died.

Shortly after the Emperor declared that he would not have an Empress, the court was divided over who would succeed to the throne.

A group that supports the Emperor’s sister, Princess Lotte, and a group that supports Alex, who is recognized as the Emperor’s son. The Empire was divided into two.

The Emperor’s biological sister, Princess Lotte, had a son named Stan, who was officially born to her late husband, the Duke of Winterbaum.

Princess Lotte’s official status was the first princess of the Empire, the Royal Princess Charlotte. Her power in the Empire was just as strong, as she could enjoy it to the death.

Stan, the son of the Empress, inherited the status of Grand Duke Winterbaum, the deceased mercenary King; and enjoyed the same treatment as the Crown Prince.

As a result, there has been consistent criticism that Stan is more legitimate than Alex, who was born to an unidentified woman.

Because Princess Lotte is on guard, the vassals were unable to freely recommend marriage to the Emperor. Even now, the Princess is plotting to make her son, Stan, the Emperor.

Having entered a place like this, Clara has no choice but to fight. After all, not everyone is cut out to be a main character.

“I’m so glad I’m not the main character.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“No, just talking to myself. Where are we going now?”

 

Notes:

{1} It’s growing heavier with the burden of having to save everyone

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